HS Brands International
If it's via Paypal, it's likely not going to be itemized. Service Sleuth and HS Brands International are together. [www.mymysteryshop.com] Login, look at your Shop Log, and it should tell you what shop(s) were paid when.
There you have it.
There you have it.
Lorrie,
It would help you if you kept a spreadsheet/list of every shop you perform, the date, the mystery shopping company, and how much you are owed. That way it is easier to figure these things out.
It would help you if you kept a spreadsheet/list of every shop you perform, the date, the mystery shopping company, and how much you are owed. That way it is easier to figure these things out.
Hi, Roxie,
Thanks for your response, but I have no clue how to do a spreadsheet. I do keep a list of all my shops by date and MSC in a notebook. I have a difficult time knowing who paid what because each MSC has so many different names. I wish I had a list of schedulers and what companies they schedule and a list of different names for each MSC. I guess I will learn - eventually! Thanks, again.
Lorrie
Thanks for your response, but I have no clue how to do a spreadsheet. I do keep a list of all my shops by date and MSC in a notebook. I have a difficult time knowing who paid what because each MSC has so many different names. I wish I had a list of schedulers and what companies they schedule and a list of different names for each MSC. I guess I will learn - eventually! Thanks, again.
Lorrie
LORRIE68---->If you are this much in disarray after 5 months what will your "bookkeeping" skill look like in a year? 
Most MSCs only have one name. It is sometimes the schedulers whom may work for more than one MSC. It is the MScompany that is paying you/us, not the scheduler. You need to know the difference.
After reading some of your former posts over the past months you seem to have a voice on each MSC you may have applied for. It is up to you to know whom you have shopped for and whom has paid you. Spreadsheets have worked for some, other methods have worked for others. Find out what works for you. If your pay was through Paypal and HSB was the payor then you was only paid for the shops that you did for them.
This is not a beat up response.
Think about it. What is stopping you from sending in the wrong report or complaining a few months down the road about not getting paid for a shop you received payment for but did not realize it
Most MSCs only have one name. It is sometimes the schedulers whom may work for more than one MSC. It is the MScompany that is paying you/us, not the scheduler. You need to know the difference.
After reading some of your former posts over the past months you seem to have a voice on each MSC you may have applied for. It is up to you to know whom you have shopped for and whom has paid you. Spreadsheets have worked for some, other methods have worked for others. Find out what works for you. If your pay was through Paypal and HSB was the payor then you was only paid for the shops that you did for them.
This is not a beat up response.
Think about it. What is stopping you from sending in the wrong report or complaining a few months down the road about not getting paid for a shop you received payment for but did not realize it
According to the HS Brands website Service Sleuth and The Mershimer Group are part of HS Brands. The payment is most probably from working for one of those two.
@jwolpert wrote:
According to the HS Brands website Service Sleuth and The Mershimer Group are part of HS Brands. The payment is most probably from working for one of those two.
Thanks for the response. How is a new shopper to know that three companies are working together, but only one company pays? The same goes for Beyond Hello which has merged with Mystery Researchers and Insula Research. Even though I've been shopping for five months, it's overwhelming trying to figure out who is affiliated, especially with various schedulers who schedule for the same MSC.
As you can see from my name, I'm not a "whippersnapper" (Did I say that?!) nor am I a techie. I'm sure other new shoppers become confused as well. I will get this figured out one day at a time.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/28/2015 03:30AM by Lorrie68.
Lorrie68,
I am only about two months in but I would be happy to share with you my bookkeeping strategies, and help you setting up a spreadsheet.
I am only about two months in but I would be happy to share with you my bookkeeping strategies, and help you setting up a spreadsheet.
HS brands just paid for shops done in March if that helps.
@Lorrie68 wrote:
@jwolpert wrote:
According to the HS Brands website Service Sleuth and The Mershimer Group are part of HS Brands. The payment is most probably from working for one of those two.
Thanks for the response. How is a new shopper to know that three companies are working together, but only one company pays? The same goes for Beyond Hello which has merged with Mystery Researchers and Insula Research. Even though I've been shopping for five months, it's overwhelming trying to figure out who is affiliated, especially with various schedulers who schedule for the same MSC.
As you can see from my name, I'm not a "whippersnapper" (Did I say that?!) nor am I a techie. I'm sure other new shoppers become confused as well. I will get this figured out one day at a time.
You would know because when you go to the login page, all three logos are right there (in both of these cases).
@Kakita987 wrote:
Lorrie68,
I am only about two months in but I would be happy to share with you my bookkeeping strategies, and help you setting up a spreadsheet.
Thanks for the offer, but I would need someone sitting side by side! I am not computer illiterate, but I have never done a spreadsheet in my life.
@SoCalMama wrote:
@Lorrie68 wrote:
@jwolpert wrote:
According to the HS Brands website Service Sleuth and The Mershimer Group are part of HS Brands. The payment is most probably from working for one of those two.
Thanks for the response. How is a new shopper to know that three companies are working together, but only one company pays? The same goes for Beyond Hello which has merged with Mystery Researchers and Insula Research. Even though I've been shopping for five months, it's overwhelming trying to figure out who is affiliated, especially with various schedulers who schedule for the same MSC.
As you can see from my name, I'm not a "whippersnapper" (Did I say that?!) nor am I a techie. I'm sure other new shoppers become confused as well. I will get this figured out one day at a time.
You would know because when you go to the login page, all three logos are right there (in both of these cases).
I see that now. Somehow, I overlooked the HS in the group. I haven't done much shopping with this MSC and have shopped for so many companies that my brain is fried. The good thing is that I'm averaging "9's" and "10's" with all companies I've shopped for.
Lorrie68
I also can get confused with the different company names.
I have sent you a PM with instructions for doing a paper based spreadsheet. I hope it will be helpful to you.
Sandy
I also can get confused with the different company names.
I have sent you a PM with instructions for doing a paper based spreadsheet. I hope it will be helpful to you.
Sandy
@Lorrie68 wrote:
Thanks for the offer, but I would need someone sitting side by side! I am not computer illiterate, but I have never done a spreadsheet in my life.
This is a honest question. How can you be and stay computer illiterate and be successful in this business? Technology is constantly changing and if you can't keep up, you will be left in the dust.
@Sybil2 wrote:
@Lorrie68 wrote:
Thanks for the offer, but I would need someone sitting side by side! I am not computer illiterate, but I have never done a spreadsheet in my life.
This is a honest question. How can you be and stay computer illiterate and be successful in this business? Technology is constantly changing and if you can't keep up, you will be left in the dust.
I said I am "not" computer illiterate. I just don't know how to do spreadsheets on the computer. I'm doing fine with my mystery shopping. Actually, I'm doing better than I ever expected.
Ok, I missed the word "not." One of the Sticky threads under New Mystery Shoppers area already has a spreadsheet created specifically for MS'ers. You should learn how to use that one since you would not have to create it from scratch. If you are successful in this business, you really need to have an electronic spreadsheet. With one click of a button, you can see exactly which shops have not been paid, how many days outstanding, form of payment or what a shop paid in 2011 among many other helpful features.
[www.mysteryshopforum.com]
[www.mysteryshopforum.com]
I've created many of my own spreadsheets for various projects over the years, but I like my big desk calendar to quickly glance at all my shops. I color code them with one color being my original date, another color if I have to bump it to another date, another color adds my "Paid" date to them, and then another color circles the shops that are (more than 2 weeks) overdue in payment. I use blue, black, green, and red inks.
That being said, I did not know about the spreadsheet in the New Members area, so thanks for posting that, Sybil2. After a few months into shopping, I know I need to get a little more high tech with recording my mileage, purchases for reimbursements, etc...I will go check it out.
That being said, I did not know about the spreadsheet in the New Members area, so thanks for posting that, Sybil2. After a few months into shopping, I know I need to get a little more high tech with recording my mileage, purchases for reimbursements, etc...I will go check it out.
@Sybil2 wrote:
Ok, I missed the word "not." One of the Sticky threads under New Mystery Shoppers area already has a spreadsheet created specifically for MS'ers. You should learn how to use that one since you would not have to create it from scratch. If you are successful in this business, you really need to have an electronic spreadsheet. With one click of a button, you can see exactly which shops have not been paid, how many days outstanding, form of payment or what a shop paid in 2011 among many other helpful features.
[www.mysteryshopforum.com]
I will check it out. Thanks.
Lorrie,
Your notebook is your spreadsheet. You should be recording the information in columns. You should then have a method in place to flag when you have been paid. Hopefully you are tracking all of your submissions until you see each one has been accepted, rated (if applicable), and eventually paid. Sounds like you might not be monitoring you completed shops if your having trouble matching a payment.
Your notebook is your spreadsheet. You should be recording the information in columns. You should then have a method in place to flag when you have been paid. Hopefully you are tracking all of your submissions until you see each one has been accepted, rated (if applicable), and eventually paid. Sounds like you might not be monitoring you completed shops if your having trouble matching a payment.
My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
@isaiah58 wrote:
Lorrie,
Your notebook is your spreadsheet. You should be recording the information in columns. You should then have a method in place to flag when you have been paid. Hopefully you are tracking all of your submissions until you see each one has been accepted, rated (if applicable), and eventually paid. Sounds like you might not be monitoring you completed shops if your having trouble matching a payment.
I plan to do a spread sheet by hand. I do record everything now, but in different places. For example, I keep track of my miles on index cards, my shops with dates and payments (if I can figure them out) in my notebook, and monthly calendar sheets so I can see my shops at a glance. I definitely have to get my sX!t together. Thanks!
This may be a silly question to some of you, but here it goes. I'm registered with Service Sleuth. Do I need to register with Mershimer Group as well as HS Brands - or are all three the same as far as shop offers?
@Lorrie68 wrote:
I plan to do a spread sheet by hand. I do record everything now, but in different places. For example, I keep track of my miles on index cards, my shops with dates and payments (if I can figure them out) in my notebook, and monthly calendar sheets so I can see my shops at a glance. I definitely have to get my sX!t together. Thanks!
Index cards? Seriously? Why on Earth would you not spend a couple of bucks and buy a mileage log (a little book that fits in your purse or glove box) if you are not going to do it electronically? I can just see a whole stack of index cards getting knocked over by cat/dog/iguana and spewing all over the place. Yikes!
You are making things WAY harder than they need to be. Make it a goal for the month of June to become familiar with the MS spreadsheet linked above and become more organized/streamlined. You will be grateful that you did.
Check among your friends and family and I'd be willing to bet someone would be knowledgeable about spreadsheets. Use the one on the sticky here on the forum, get your friend, neighbor, grandson, anyone who can to sit down with you for a few minutes. The spreadsheet here on the forum is already set up so it's easy to use.
However, if worse comes to worse and you absolutely don't want to deal with Excel, then set up a table in Word. You can label the columns for your different items. You really must find a way to track the compensation and the actual payment. You also need to track your mileage and other expenses. If you don't do this, you are going to spend a whole lotta time doing your taxes. Best to get your info. set up now!
However, if worse comes to worse and you absolutely don't want to deal with Excel, then set up a table in Word. You can label the columns for your different items. You really must find a way to track the compensation and the actual payment. You also need to track your mileage and other expenses. If you don't do this, you are going to spend a whole lotta time doing your taxes. Best to get your info. set up now!
@plmccut wrote:
Check among your friends and family and I'd be willing to bet someone would be knowledgeable about spreadsheets. Use the one on the sticky here on the forum, get your friend, neighbor, grandson, anyone who can to sit down with you for a few minutes. The spreadsheet here on the forum is already set up so it's easy to use.
However, if worse comes to worse and you absolutely don't want to deal with Excel, then set up a table in Word. You can label the columns for your different items. You really must find a way to track the compensation and the actual payment. You also need to track your mileage and other expenses. If you don't do this, you are going to spend a whole lotta time doing your taxes. Best to get your info. set up now!
I went out last night and bought a columnar and a binder for keeping the completed forms. I don't have a friend nor relative that knows how to do a spreadsheet! Recording shops on paper will be fine. I had no problem with taxes last year, for I only started mystery shopping at the end of November and most of the shops were paid by Paypal so I just took the entire Paypal records to the accountant. I was earning a lot on Bubblews at the time and then they began paying next to nothing and that is why I began mystery shopping. I'm nearly equal to what I was earning on Bubblews now and that makes me very happy! Thank you to everyone with excellent advice and being instrumental in getting my butt in gear!
I had never done a spreadsheet either. I am not yet familiar with excel so I just got google docs and used a spreadsheet of theirs. I did my first spreadsheet with no help from anyone and it wasn't hard at all. Stop thinking that you can't do it. You can do it. But first you have to try.
I use a basic calendar, I print the shop, MSC, location and mark paid when paid. I simplify! I keep all of the receipts, and shop in a separate folder per MSC. EASY! I keep them for 1 year. My notes fit on a sticky note paid. I have shopped for 8 years, never had a problem. I purchase one of those 3 year calendars, and pencil in pay also.
I also use a Neat portable scanner, which I know I have mentioned many times.
Your Service Sleuth log and most companies will show you the shop, pay and comments.
I also use a Neat portable scanner, which I know I have mentioned many times.
Your Service Sleuth log and most companies will show you the shop, pay and comments.
How do you keep track of mileage? Even if you just go to one place and come home, you need to track mileage. If you are on any sort of route (even two shops is a route), then where do you record the mileage for ther day?
Sassie makes it easy to see your past history of shops for companies which use that platform, but other platforms range from more difficult to impossible. And there is still the issue of where do you record mileage.
Sassie makes it easy to see your past history of shops for companies which use that platform, but other platforms range from more difficult to impossible. And there is still the issue of where do you record mileage.
@shopper8 wrote:
I use a basic calendar, I print the shop, MSC, location and mark paid when paid. I simplify! I keep all of the receipts, and shop in a separate folder per MSC. EASY! I keep them for 1 year. My notes fit on a sticky note paid. I have shopped for 8 years, never had a problem. I purchase one of those 3 year calendars, and pencil in pay also.
I also use a Neat portable scanner, which I know I have mentioned many times.
Your Service Sleuth log and most companies will show you the shop, pay and comments.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
@CoffeeQueen wrote:
I had never done a spreadsheet either. I am not yet familiar with excel so I just got google docs and used a spreadsheet of theirs. I did my first spreadsheet with no help from anyone and it wasn't hard at all. Stop thinking that you can't do it. You can do it. But first you have to try.
I'm sure I could do it if I tried, but it's so much easier for me to write information on paper. At least it's a start.
@myst4au wrote:
How do you keep track of mileage? Even if you just go to one place and come home, you need to track mileage. If you are on any sort of route (even two shops is a route), then where do you record the mileage for ther day?
Sassie makes it easy to see your past history of shops for companies which use that platform, but other platforms range from more difficult to impossible. And there is still the issue of where do you record mileage.
@shopper8 wrote:
I use a basic calendar, I print the shop, MSC, location and mark paid when paid. I simplify! I keep all of the receipts, and shop in a separate folder per MSC. EASY! I keep them for 1 year. My notes fit on a sticky note paid. I have shopped for 8 years, never had a problem. I purchase one of those 3 year calendars, and pencil in pay also.
I also use a Neat portable scanner, which I know I have mentioned many times.
Your Service Sleuth log and most companies will show you the shop, pay and comments.
I have been using a calendar as well and have "mini spreadsheets" on large index cards that lists the shop, the date and the mileage. Now, I will be doing all this on the columnar.
@myst4au wrote:
Sassie makes it easy to see your past history of shops for companies which use that platform, but other platforms range from more difficult to impossible. And there is still the issue of where do you record mileage.
Sassie only keeps/shows that last 100 shops that you performed. I am way beyond that with many of my Sassie companies. You need more than a Sassie printout to take to your tax consultant.
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