I am in the process of looking for more companies to sign up to work for. I began going down the list alphabetically. I had not signed up to work for AMA Enterprises and see some positive feedback from a few members. There are a few things that give me pause about signing up with them. Can any of you who have worked with them offer feedback on my concerns?

First, their website redirects from amaenterprisesinc.com to isienterprise.com. Did the company change names?

I looked around their website, which has some strange features. First of all, I thought it was strange that there was a link to "Client's Testimonials" (singular possessive). I clicked on the link to find what, at first, appears to be one testimonial. However, when you read it, it appears to be a synopsis of the company's history with a very generic fake name and fake client attached to it. Below that, it lists the same fake name and fake client three more times and has some garblediegook about Lorem Ipsum text. I assume this whole section is a website template that was not completed. There are also some dead end links on the site.

There are some inconsistencies in the descriptions of mystery shoppers' jobs on the site. They provide an example intended to differentiate between objective feedback and subjective feedback, pointing out that the objective feedback is what is required. However, they state that the example that provides opinion is the correct assessment.

The link to fill out an application to become a mystery shopper opens a PDF that they want you to fax to them or scan/email to them. It has some inconsistencies in it, which I won't point out since it is intended to be a contract. The things I noted could have been typos, but really look like the product of voice-recognition software gone astray.

Maybe I am being too sensitive, but I get nervous when I am asked to provide a great deal of personal information - like my SS#, date of birth, and current employer's information - and there appear to be potential red flags. I work for some companies that don't use a standard platform like SASSIE or Shopmetrics, and I have noticed small inconsistencies on a website here or there, but I haven't encountered so many in one place.

Can anybody offer additional feedback about this company. If not, can you maybe offer insight into how you decide whether a particular company is legitimate?

I often get nervous when I am being redirected to another website.

I wouldn't touch it, but that's me.

I have been there, didn't notice the redirect, and had no problems signing up and completing some shops. This company is a MSPA member.

Art Alabin is the president of this company AMA. He is polite and professional. His company is reliable to pay for the assignments done. Do not hesitate to work for him. You can see his linked in page here (if links work on this forum) [www.linkedin.com]

In reply to [www.mysteryshopforum.com]

@WhoMe wrote:

I am in the process of looking for more companies to sign up to work for. I began going down the list alphabetically. I had not signed up to work for AMA Enterprises and see some positive feedback from a few members. There are a few things that give me pause about signing up with them. Can any of you who have worked with them offer feedback on my concerns?

First, their website redirects from amaenterprisesinc.com to isienterprise.com. Did the company change names?

I looked around their website, which has some strange features. First of all, I thought it was strange that there was a link to "Client's Testimonials" (singular possessive). I clicked on the link to find what, at first, appears to be one testimonial. However, when you read it, it appears to be a synopsis of the company's history with a very generic fake name and fake client attached to it. Below that, it lists the same fake name and fake client three more times and has some garblediegook about Lorem Ipsum text. I assume this whole section is a website template that was not completed. There are also some dead end links on the site.

There are some inconsistencies in the descriptions of mystery shoppers' jobs on the site. They provide an example intended to differentiate between objective feedback and subjective feedback, pointing out that the objective feedback is what is required. However, they state that the example that provides opinion is the correct assessment.

The link to fill out an application to become a mystery shopper opens a PDF that they want you to fax to them or scan/email to them. It has some inconsistencies in it, which I won't point out since it is intended to be a contract. The things I noted could have been typos, but really look like the product of voice-recognition software gone astray.

Maybe I am being too sensitive, but I get nervous when I am asked to provide a great deal of personal information - like my SS#, date of birth, and current employer's information - and there appear to be potential red flags. I work for some companies that don't use a standard platform like SASSIE or Shopmetrics, and I have noticed small inconsistencies on a website here or there, but I haven't encountered so many in one place.

Can anybody offer additional feedback about this company. If not, can you maybe offer insight into how you decide whether a particular company is legitimate?

Dear WhoMe,

Many thanks for being highly observant, a great detective, and for sharing your concerns with this forum.

I just checked this morning. The AMA website is still redirecting from amaenterprisesinc.com to isienterprise.com.

Looks suspicious to me.

As we all know, there are all sorts of ways to hijack a website.

Please keep us informed as to the final results of your investigation.

The isi enterprise page has AMA written on it 4 times. (3 plus the logo) You folks have your knickers in a knot for no reason. It has become a common occurance for mystery shop companies to change their names. I know that caution is wise, but really, in this case, you have no cause for concern.

Mustanger, I appreciate the compliment, but I'm not sure I'm due one.

Maranatha, I appreciate your vouching for this company. I originally posted with the intention of seeking feedback from shoppers who would vouch for the company.

I am fairly new to mystery shopping, and it could be that I am being overly cautious. I am choosy about the shops that I accept and the companies that I work for. I am not in a position to put significant money on the line and then find that I will not be paid for a shop. Part of my vetting process has been to read posts on this forum. There was not much recent feedback available, so I asked for some.

Mystery shopping companies ask us to be observant and detail-oriented when we perform assignments. I believe I fulfill that obligation each time I accept a shop. I carefully read instructions and the questionnaire. I follow the instructions to the letter. For many shops, it is not a small task to remember and keep track of all of the required details. Although we all have typos and make mistakes from time to time, I generally feel that MSCs should exhibit attention to detail. I look for this when I visit their websites and when I am reviewing shop instructions and questionnaires. I have chosen not to do certain shops a second time if I felt that the instructions were unclear and the scheduler could/would not quickly respond to requests for clarification. I don't necessarily think those MSCs are not legitimate, but lack of thoroughness and responsiveness throws up a red flag to me that the company is not detail-oriented. It also makes me wary that they might not approve my shop if I misinterpret their (what I believe to be) ambiguous instructions.

Similarly, it throws up a red flag if a website appears to be incomplete. I don't have a problem with shopping for companies that have been bought by other MSCs. I shop for several companies that have purchased other companies and am aware that there is usually a transition process for updating websites, email addresses, etc. I was simply concerned by the combination of things that I outlined, and I hoped that other shoppers could offer some feedback about their experiences with AMA.

Again, thanks for the feedback.

Hi WhoMe,

@WhoMe wrote:

I am fairly new to mystery shopping, and it could be that I am being overly cautious. I am choosy about the shops that I accept and the companies that I work for. I am not in a position to put significant money on the line and then find that I will not be paid for a shop. Part of my vetting process has been to read posts on this forum. There was not much recent feedback available, so I asked for some.

In this day and age, I do not think that one can be too overly cautious, about anything!

When in doubt, I always ask questions and seek clarification, or "get the hell out of Dodge!"

Your initial post was very well composed, listed your numerous observations & concerns, and posed valid questions.

It was like reading an opening chapter in a good book

Your last post was an extremely well written analysis.

It was like reading the closing chapter of a good book.

IMHO, your posts are in the upper 1 % of all posts on this board.

You will go far in any profession where literary talent is valued.

Please keep up the good work.

So sorry to have missed this thread during its first time around. AMA is totally legit, and is truly an excellent company to work with.
All of the OP's observations, though not speculations, are accurate regarding AMA's website. The explanation is that the the company is growing so fast that aesthetics have taken a back burner. Time and resources go into new client contracts, and word of mouth is more than sufficient advertising, vs. web site promotion. Inside their reporting site, it's even less polished.
However, they pay above average, they pay on time, they have by far the best shopper support I've ever experienced, and they're moving to Shopmetrics in November. Skip the pdf applications at the old site and register at the new site. I'll post when they're up and running.

All I see is a PDF application. I just checked and I don't see anything that has an app to complete online. The only link I saw was a PDF file that has an app in it.

Orrymain - You're looking at the old site. The Shopmetrics site is not ready yet for new shoppers. The old site is still being used and has only ever had the pdf applications. You can fill one out, but you'd need to re-register in a couple of weeks through Shopmetrics as well. I'll post here when new registrations can be accepted at the new site.

Thanks, elcarev68. That was the type of response I was hoping to hear, and it helps to hear it from someone who is active on the forum. I have a slow process of easing into working for a new MSP. They expect a lot of detail and observation from us, so it gives me some trepidation when an MSP appears to have overlooked details. Of course I would not rule out working for a company merely based on typos on a website. However, it can throw up a red flag if there are multiple issues. It helps to reach out for feedback from those who have experience with said MSP.

Based on the MS Magazine article I went to their sign-up page. I requires you to print and sign a 7 page form. But, the form will not print all the pages, or else prints out blank after you have filled it out! The instructions say to fill it out before printing to sign.

Any hints as to how to make this work?

walesmaven - That's the old site. Don't bother with registration there. Go ahead and register at the new site... [amaenterprisesinc.shopmetrics.com] referenced earlier in the article. Please report back here or PM me if you have any trouble. Also, please let me know what you see on the site once you're registered. The AMA staff is training on it, and I'd want to let them know if any of their "training" is visible to newly registered shoppers.

I signed up on the new site this morning. I got a confirmation page when I finished the application, and received an automated email message with my username and password within a few minutes. I was able to log in to the site using that info and see that there are zero shops posted at this time.

Thanks, Alisonj3! I will encourage them to let us know when the November jobs are being posted on the new site.

The new site works like a charm.

I signed up too.. No shops, no certifications to take...

@EO wrote:

No shops, no certifications to take...

No worries. No change till No-vember though.
I was told that if they pick anything up last minute for October, that they will be able to access newly registered shoppers from the Shopmetrics site.

I hope this isn't going off-topic, but does anyone have any hints for this tech dinosaur regarding navigating shopmetrics? Basically, I just haven't done any shops for any companies on that platform because I just can't figure out how to use it. Either I get pages and pages and pages of shops a thousand miles from where I live, or a page that says "no shops available". Thanks for any hints you can share with this tech-challenged dinosaur! *Oh, I have shopped for several of them -- after the scheduler e-mails me with a shop!

Sign in and then look to the right and down a tad. You should see a tutorial on the right hand side. Click it and it will take you through everything!

@Orrymain wrote:

Sign in and then look to the right and down a tad. You should see a tutorial on the right hand side. Click it and it will take you through everything!

Thanks, I'll try that.

ceasesmith -
Once you log into a Shopmetrics site, on the right side there should be a section called "Assistant." In that section there should be a link "Shopper Help" or "Shopper Tutorial" with a little book icon next to it . If you click it, it should open a new tab that will start a tutorial video that will talk you through all of the basic features of finding jobs, applying for jobs, and reporting jobs.

Thanks, both of you! Did that, took written notes (I admit, I'm a dinosaur!), filed them in my MS file
(which is actually a manila file folder). Thanks.

Now if only I could find a tutorial for prestomaps....or whatever that SASSIE thing is.....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/08/2015 02:04AM by ceasesmith.

@ceasesmith wrote:

I hope this isn't going off-topic, but does anyone have any hints for this tech dinosaur regarding navigating shopmetrics? Basically, I just haven't done any shops for any companies on that platform because I just can't figure out how to use it. Either I get pages and pages and pages of shops a thousand miles from where I live, or a page that says "no shops available". Thanks for any hints you can share with this tech-challenged dinosaur! *Oh, I have shopped for several of them -- after the scheduler e-mails me with a shop!

You won't have to worry about pages and pages of shops with this MSC. They have one job from Ohio to Eastern Virginia

GJT -
Thanks for checking our board!
We actually have over a thousand shops across the U.S. and a few dozen in Canada. We only began actively using the Shopmetrics platform last month and are still transitioning from our old system. We are actively "recruiting" from the Shopmetrics database of registered shoppers to fill open locations, and will hopefully begin posting on the board unfilled locations in a week or so. If you'd like to PM me your AMA username, I'll gladly check the list of locations to see if there's anything near you.

GLT,
I did more than 20 shops for them in December in the mid-Atlantic region and could have done that many, or more, in January, but I have another big project already scheduled for this month.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/06/2016 02:38PM by walesmaven.