At the end of the year I felt it would be okay to do one of these big electronic store audits, because it said 4-7 hours for $80-100. I figured I'd give it a go because I didn't have to lay out the money and commit to the two before reimbursement. I'm sooo sorry I did. It took 2 days and it still wasn't finished. They did pay, but then I picked up another easier shop from them and had to cancel due to family reasons. I was emailed back 2 days later and threatened by this woman that if I didn't do it I would have a citation on my shop log. I wrote back and said I'd check my schedule and get back with her. A day later she wrote back telling me she put a citation on my shop log. I just read the shop log and it says ".....flaked." I had never had problems with this company before this scheduler, and it was the most unprofessional chilish thing I have ever seen. I wrote to them asking if they were now hiring teenagers as schedulers. They still haven't responded. BE CAREFUL DO NOT SHOP FOR THIS SCHEDULER, YOU WILL REGRET IT. They have a fast pay schedule that seems to be enticing, but it is not good when companies are threatening and tricking us so that they can claim they can schedule the best. This is nothing short of used car salesmanship, or in this case saleswomanship.

And what scheduler would this be again?

Why do you work for them?

Anybody have any popcorn?

I just received a PM from this Jeremy.

No Jeremy. I do not work for whatever company you are talking about.

If you have a legitimate complaint, tell us the company or the scheduler. You might get some valuable feedback, if you're serious and if you're really a mystery shopper.

Popcorn's on!

Oh, he was actually asking, "Why? Do you work for them?" I thought he was asking why you work for them because they are so crappy. It did seem odd without the company name.

Sorry you are not supposed to give the companies name out here. I know others do, but it's in the rules on the board and I've been shopping for long enough to know that I don't want to get kicked off of this. The company I'm talking about pays in two weeks.

You can name the company or the client, just not both. Although it's not like there's anybody that doesn't know what company you're talking about.

The company is fairly easy to figure out. Its one of the 3 letter ones and the first letter is after F. Also Canuck do you even know the rules of the forum or are you a newbie?

Canuck and bgriffin both know the rules of the forum. The guidelines clearly state do not reveal the clients of mystery shopping companies, not do not name mystery shopping companies.

Who? GfK? It's OK to name the company so as long as you don't name the client.

I kind of got lost as to what has happened to you given all the attitude but you aren't the first who has has problems with the company. I would suggest you email Donna about this and maybe tone it down a bit. I heard Donna is very helpful but it is a two way street so be respectful. Keep your emotions in check.

Gfk?

Yeah, I emailed them and haven't heard back from them. I never had a problem with any of the other schedulers that I have worked with there. But, for a scheduler to threaten you and the first time was with the BB. Then, to actually threaten and put a citation like that on a shop log was ridiculous. I have completed dozens of shops for them over the years with all maintaining an either 8 or 10 score.

Ok... But how can we beware with this mysterious scheduler if we don't have a name?

You didn't do the shop you committed to do. Canceling due to family reasons could mean your niece's birthday party or your son's little league game or your mother-in-law came for a visit -- none of these are an emergency.

Most schedulers are understanding of accidents, hospitalization, fire at the house, etc. Anything not in that category is not a reason to default on a contract.

It's hard to judge if you flaked or if they are being overly harsh without knowing just what the family reason was for not doing the shop.


And what does any of this have to do with a drug test?

If what you say is the complete truth, they should remove the citation at least. Not that I don't believe you but there are always two sides to every story. I think Donna has a phone number somewhere.. if you don't hear back in a few days, try reaching out by phone. I really hope you get it worked out in a way that leaves you satisfied.

I also would like to know the scheduler too. I've had problems with one in the past but after the issue was resolved, it's been nothing but smooth sailing.

@Jeremy wrote:

Yeah, I emailed them and haven't heard back from them.

You said you emailed them asking if they were hiring teenagers as schedulers. Why would you expect them to reply to that? I think you burned your bridge. They probably deactivated you by now.

..and the funny thing is that Jeremy asked me if I worked for them, meaning employed by them.

I do not work or shop for GFK and that is why I think it's funny.

Many like GFK and many do not. I told them to take a hike a few years ago. Long story and don't ask.

Yup, as someone who used to schedule for a different company MSCs will ignore you if you get rude with them.. Even when they are in the wrong. Just best to try and keep calm the first time, escalate if need be. End the working relationship if still unsatisifed.

What shops are they requiring a drug test on? I shop for them all the time and have never been asked in my part of the country.

Kathleen,

We can't post the client. The MSC was already identified as GFK.

The OP is being emotional but not rational.

I got a nasty citation from GFK last week and was called unreliable by the scheduler for having to reschedule a pathetic $14 shop because of unforeseen traffic. Will never work for them after that.

I've got a bunch of $14.50 work this week. Wow. I'm working close to the pathetic level and too dumb to know it. But I will say for sure I wouldn't like it at all if a scheduler called me unreliable without a good reason. I don't believe I'd be able to carry on with my half of the romance.

sounds like a power hungry/over agressive scheduler.....

Anybody have any popcorn?

Buttered?

As a shopper on GFK's mailing list, it's very clear to me that GFK will reimburse the cost of the drug test after completing two shops. I don't think that's unreasonable. The emails also have stated that the audits take about eight hours, sometimes longer, and they are currently offering a bonus (as of at least twenty-four hours ago) of $20.00 on the audits here in PA. The email went out to other states too, so I think this is across the board.

GFK is not the first MSC who has asked for a drug test; the client obviously wants the shoppers to be tested. As for your cancelled shop, maybe you weren't clear enough about why you could not complete the shop, but your attitude is questionable. I try to complete every shop unless I am sick, have sudden car problems, or the weather is lousy (a frequent problem lately) and I fear for my safety driving through ice pellets, snow, black ice, snow drift and white-outs, and all the other lovelies we've had this endless winter.

Speaking of lousy weather, has anyone gotten any flack from MSC for cancelling shops due to the weather? Maybe that's a whole new topic! I guess it's hard for people living in sunny Texas or Georgia to understand what it means to risk one's life driving on black ice to complete a $20.00 shop.

I'm sure it must be aggravating to have a shop cancelled from the schedulers perspective, but I do agree that using the word "....flaked" in that context is incredibly unprofessional. It's not like they thought you couldn't see it, and I agree about not having to threaten, there's a nice way to explain to someone that he/she will have trouble getting future assignments if the shop wasn't completed... things happen, anyone could've had a legitimate excuse, chances are that person would've acted the same way to the OP....now what if one has an emergency, can't make it, and then is treated in that manner ... a good, qualified shopper, may be turned off to that company entirely.

(not to say you're not a good qualified shopper! i'm sure you are... just trying to present an objective perspective )

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/18/2015 10:02AM by BornInNYC.

I think a "flake" citation is reasonable, if they person indeed flaked on a shop. (Can't tell from the OP's rant whether or not there was a flake.) That's code for "unreliable." As shoppers, we warn each others about MSCs that are slow to pay or bounce cheques, and shops that require much more than the board's descriptions. Why would a scheduler not want to warn other schedulers about shoppers who may cancel at the drop of a hat? Most schedulers get paid for completed shops, so people who assign and cancel waste their time.

I sympathize with Jeremy because it would be difficult to hear myself called a "flake" when I cancelled a shop for family reasons. I understand that because it hurt his feelings, he viewed it as "the most unprofessional chilish [sic] thing I have ever seen (I'm guessing he means childish?)."

I don't have enough information to make a determination whether it was unprofessional or not on the scheduler's part. Jeremy says he canceled for family reasons but he didn't explain the reasons. For me, family reasons could be anything from a death in the family to deciding to go to a movie with a family member instead of working. It sounds like Jeremy did not request a reschedule, he simply canceled. I'm not sure how I would have taken it if I were his scheduler. You know, like a traffic cop who catches you speeding - some issue tickets, others give warnings. And sometimes it depends on the circumstances. Oh, well.

But I'm totally perplexed by the message Jeremy is apparently trying to get across about a scheduler and a company that he refuses to name. "They have a fast pay schedule that seems to be enticing, but it is not good when companies are threatening and tricking us so that they can claim they can schedule the best. This is nothing short of used car salesmanship, or in this case saleswomanship." Huh? What does that mean? As ICs, we decide who we work for and we decide which assignments we take, so who is threatening and tricking who? I am totally perplexed. Clearly, he is making a point and I'm not getting it.