I'm not even going to point out the irony of someone with a track record of cancellations and flakes speaking about ethos.

I originally started this thread to vent my frustration at the ridiculously long and tedious instructions, tests, and reports that GfK required for some of the shops.
It was my hope that GfK or someone affiliated with the company would see the thread and comments and at least consider the feedback.

Some of the shops were eventually bonused $50 to $100. That made them fair for the work involved.

My thanks to everyone who gave thoughtful feedback and made this a great thread.

I'm not so thrilled to see unsupported comments involving swords and ego.

I would like to thank Dante for letting these comments roll off him like water on a duck's back.

I don't agree with everything that Dante writes, but I appreciate his input and respect him for contributing.
Please consider that schedulers are not the company, they are part of the team.

@cammikun wrote:

I originally started this thread to vent my frustration at the ridiculously long and tedious instructions, tests, and reports that GfK required for some of the shops.
It was my hope that GfK or someone affiliated with the company would see the thread and comments and at least consider the feedback.

Some of the shops were eventually bonused $50 to $100. That made them fair for the work involved.

My thanks to everyone who gave thoughtful feedback and made this a great thread.

I'm not so thrilled to see unsupported comments involving swords and ego.

I would like to thank Dante for letting these comments roll off him like water on a duck's back.

I don't agree with everything that Dante writes, but I appreciate his input and respect him for contributing.
Please consider that schedulers are not the company, they are part of the team.

Sorry to disagree but Dante is the "face" of GFK in a sense...his income is derived by scheduling assignments for GFK and he is hardly a disinterested party in any discussion having to do with GFK. I can appreciate his desire to be an apologist for GFK and a staunch defender (I would expect no less) however I kinda/sorta think that any comment that he makes regarding GFK must be taken with a somewhat "grain-of-salt" and the understanding from what angle he is coming from. This isn't meant to be an assault on Dante but is meant to put his spin on GFK in proper context and in a perspective that comes from his income being derived from GFK (it's called not "biting the hand that feeds". A lot of Dante's comments are somewhat self-serving. I see that there seems to be a lot of "warm and fuzzy" posters and "aw, shucks, gee whiz" type folks on this blog but the reality is that unless we "question authority" nothing seems to change/get done...i.e. the $3.00 shops that wayyyy tooo many of you snap up. Grow some cajones, folks.

Thanks cammikun; I can see you actually "get it". I believe your feedback (and other constructive feedback) made a difference, as 6 narratives were eliminated from the home appliance shops and the ones I am scheduling are currently going for $60 each.

I think it's funny to see people that repeatedly bash these companies (not just GfK) under several "alias" usernames. I honestly doubt, despite their claims, that they do very much work in the industry and are just here to stir the pot, so to speak.

As a side note, I don't just schedule for GfK and for parkcitybrian to assume that my income comes from GFK is foolish. I work for two companies as a scheduler, including one as an editor as well. I also have several other sources of income, including my own clients.

Considering the source definitely goes both ways.

@cammikun wrote:

I originally started this thread to vent my frustration at the ridiculously long and tedious instructions, tests, and reports that GfK required for some of the shops.
It was my hope that GfK or someone affiliated with the company would see the thread and comments and at least consider the feedback.

Some of the shops were eventually bonused $50 to $100. That made them fair for the work involved.

My thanks to everyone who gave thoughtful feedback and made this a great thread.

I'm not so thrilled to see unsupported comments involving swords and ego.

I would like to thank Dante for letting these comments roll off him like water on a duck's back.

I don't agree with everything that Dante writes, but I appreciate his input and respect him for contributing.
Please consider that schedulers are not the company, they are part of the team.

Brian. If I shop for zero that's my business. Grow your own.

@parkcitybrian wrote:

I see that there seems to be a lot of "warm and fuzzy" posters and "aw, shucks, gee whiz" type folks on this blog but the reality is that unless we "question authority" nothing seems to change/get done...i.e. the $3.00 shops that wayyyy tooo many of you snap up. Grow some cajones, folks.

I'll disagree with you. I think everybody's comments are self-serving. Even the Dalai Lama has an agenda(although I doubt he mystery shops!)

$3 for a quick phone shop is fine, just don't ask me to rewrite the Bible in the report.

@pammie8223 wrote:

I left them alone when I couldn't get a scheduler to respond. They are probably great for some people but for me it wasn't working out.

Pammie, I am sorry to hear that your scheduler did not respond to your request. Though I am not defending schedulers who do not stay in good communication with their shoppers I also know from my end that we do receive a large number of emails daily. I am always in communication with my shoppers and I hope that you will give GFK another chance. I was a Mystery Shopper for years and Though Mystery Shopping isn't full of GREAT pay, it is rewarding in many ways.. Keep pressing on.. We, Mystery Shopping Companies need Reliable shoppers who we can work with and build relationships with.

Hi Linda, We do have a number of really good shops... Like for Instance our first run with the Home Appliance shops came out with a revision to our Form... about 15 minutes LESS time.. We are always trying to make things better for both the Client and the Shopper.. We as schedulers and editors are the middle folks.. However there are those shops that I call the "Good, Bad and the Ugly" we do take the good with the bad, and the best part is that I was a shopper for 10 plus years and experienced both good and the bad, The rewards are just as important as the pay.. If you are a faithful shopper you will take the Bad too.. We do appreciate all of our VALUED shoppers.. I truly enjoy working with those who complete their shops on time and do make me email them for their reports. We have to take the good with the bad too as schedulers, though I have tightened my end down a bit more and let my shoppers know I am flexible but I have limits depending on the time frame. Most shoppers do not understand or know that we have deadlines each week to meet so that our editors are NOT overwhelmed with an abundance of shops at the end of the month.. Just to be fair, our shoppers need to realize that we have due dates for good reason.. Thanks for commenting and I hope this helps open the understand of the in's and out's of the GFK MSC. Have a great day!

Good Morning CoffeeQueen
There is a new test because there are NEW updates with the Revealed Audits. Wouldn't it be a shame if you went and tried to complete the old shop only to find it was rejected. Most people when they take quizzes tend to have a better memory of what is expected. These are one benefit to taking our quizzes prior to an assignment. I hope this helps you see a little positivity when looking at the quiz. Have a great day!

What are these rewards you speak of that are so much more valuable than the pay? Just like GFK and the clients we serve, I am in business to make money with no altruistic motives. For me there is absolutely nothing more valuable than the profits.

And why do you suggest we must take the bad with the good? While part and parcel of being an employee, not so for independent contractors. We are free to pick and choose. Implying otherwise might suggest a relationship that doesn't exist and that most MSCs do not want, that of mystery shopper as employee.

@LisaSTL wrote:

What are these rewards you speak of that are so much more valuable than the pay? Just like GFK and the clients we serve, I am in business to make money with no altruistic motives. For me there is absolutely nothing more valuable than the profits.

And why do you suggest we must take the bad with the good? While part and parcel of being an employee, not so for independent contractors. We are free to pick and choose. Implying otherwise might suggest a relationship that doesn't exist and that most MSCs do not want, that of mystery shopper as employee.

exactly, precisely & very-well articulated. it's the GFK schedulers/editors on this site trying to get us (the boots on the ground) "educated" to the "experience". show me the $$$, pal !!!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/29/2015 04:54PM by parkcitybrian.

If I were a GFK manage r following this, I would step in and counsel Dante regarding the damage he is doing to the company. I have never seen another scheduler express themselves so abrasively. The overwhelming majority I have worked with are true professionals.

@sharpist wrote:

If I were a GFK manage r following this, I would step in and counsel Dante regarding the damage he is doing to the company. I have never seen another scheduler express themselves so abrasively. The overwhelming majority I have worked with are true professionals.

Dante is nothing more than an apologist for GFK and I, for one, am verrrry surprised that GFK allows his postings to continue. It seems to be all about him. The "I' do this" and the "I do that" and the "me, me, me" and his continually bragging about his $60 bonuses that he offers. Funny that those are never, ever seen or substantiated, btw. GFK seems to be having enough difficulties without having Dante heaping coals on the fire and adding to their woes.

I try to read all my information before taking a shop to make sure that I want and complete the shop. I have been the person that has gotten calls for the FLAKES that cannot complete a shop by the dead line. I have only missed one asked a scheduler about a shop on my route. Since I had not heard from them and in checking my emails I did not see any replies on this shop I did not do it. when I got home I found out that I had missed the shop. The scheduler knew that I was traveling that was why I asked for the shop. I had no way to contact him or the company and did not get a notification that it was assigned to me via text or phone call. I felt bad since I liked doing those shops and being in a different town was good for new faces on the company.
I am the person that the scheduler can call like GFK when a shopper/auditor does not show or flakes. I get the bonuses for it. Yes if the monies is not right then do it anyway and don't except any more for that price.
We are independent contractors and we are able to expense out our work to show the plus or minus on each job. Miles, cost of supplies, meals if traveling, hotel, rental car anything that you had to spend to get the job done. if it was not enough for you time it is a loss and that should go in your spreadsheet so that your matrix reflects where you are making profits and where losses. This is part of your business.

This why I find reading the forum is imperative to for new and old information. Where are you getting phone shops that pay $14. I reside in Florida. Our shops pays $8. I stopped doing the phones shops when I realized $8. for the shop and you must go an hour before they close.

Those who take the GOOD and the BAD, as assigned, are called employees. Employees are assigned job duties and they do good and bad, and they are paid for coming to work and for doing the job, whether they do it right or they do it wrong. Independent contractors are in business to make money. A successful independent contractor assesses jobs and determines which are good jobs for them and which are bad jobs for them. Then they take the good jobs. My good jobs may be different from another shopper's good jobs and my bad jobs may be different from another shopper's bad jobs. But a smart independent contractor doesn't wildly take all the jobs a company would like them to take, both good and bad. Business is business. If GFK wants me to take a job, there has to be something in it for me.......... and I'm not talking about taking bad jobs with the good to make them happy.

@roflwofl wrote:

Those who take the GOOD and the BAD, as assigned, are called employees. Employees are assigned job duties and they do good and bad, and they are paid for coming to work and for doing the job, whether they do it right or they do it wrong. Independent contractors are in business to make money. A successful independent contractor assesses jobs and determines which are good jobs for them and which are bad jobs for them. Then they take the good jobs. My good jobs may be different from another shopper's good jobs and my bad jobs may be different from another shopper's bad jobs. But a smart independent contractor doesn't wildly take all the jobs a company would like them to take, both good and bad. Business is business. If GFK wants me to take a job, there has to be something in it for me.......... and I'm not talking about taking bad jobs with the good to make them happy.

Exactly and another well-written and thought-out posting. We are not in it to make the schedulers, etc. happy campers. If it suits our purpose(s) and they are happy campers as a result well then, it's a win-win. GFK schedulers who are posting on this site just DON'T GET IT and I'm thinking that the GFK powers-to-be are advising them, and rightfully- so, to "put a sock in it".

I agree with roflwolf or "roll on the floor without a floor", at least that is how I read his user name. Please correct me if I'm wrong or give me a like if I'm right. This is a business model based on symbiosis. Once the parasite (us shoppers looking to make some money) starts to reject the host (MSC offering ridiculous fees for the time and effort involved) either the host will adapt to better accommodate the parasite or both will die. Anything less than 15 or 20 dollars an hour in today's economy is B.S. And I do the math. If I can make 10 in 30 minutes, fine. But come on MSC's owners and clients. Would you do this work for the normal commission offered?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/30/2015 12:40AM by PaulinMI.

No, you happen to be wrong. I'm busy scheduling shops and making money for all involved (shoppers, myself and the companies I schedule for); something which I happen to be successful at; thanks to great shoppers who follow through on their commitments when they assign a shop. They don't seem to be complaining; most of them actually like me.

As for one person who seems to complain about me on here often, after this message, I have toggled you (two people toggled in one week, after over two years with nobody toggled... wow!) and it would probably be best if you did the same. I help contractors who actually want to work and follow through with their assignments. Some of them are registered on here, but most are so busy working that they don't have time to post under one name (let alone 4 or 5).

@parkcitybrian wrote:

@roflwofl wrote:

Those who take the GOOD and the BAD, as assigned, are called employees. Employees are assigned job duties and they do good and bad, and they are paid for coming to work and for doing the job, whether they do it right or they do it wrong. Independent contractors are in business to make money. A successful independent contractor assesses jobs and determines which are good jobs for them and which are bad jobs for them. Then they take the good jobs. My good jobs may be different from another shopper's good jobs and my bad jobs may be different from another shopper's bad jobs. But a smart independent contractor doesn't wildly take all the jobs a company would like them to take, both good and bad. Business is business. If GFK wants me to take a job, there has to be something in it for me.......... and I'm not talking about taking bad jobs with the good to make them happy.

Exactly and another well-written and thought-out posting. We are not in it to make the schedulers, etc. happy campers. If it suits our purpose(s) and they are happy campers as a result well then, it's a win-win. GFK schedulers who are posting on this site just DON'T GET IT and I'm thinking that the GFK powers-to-be are advising them, and rightfully- so, to "put a sock in it".

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/30/2015 02:08AM by DanteScheduler.

"Some of them are registered on here, but most are so busy working that they don't have time to post under one name (let alone 4 or 5)."

Really Dante? So those of us taking time to post aren't busy enough? What's your excuse?

LisaSTL,

I enjoy your posts and seriously doubt you post under 4 or 5 different names. I'm sure you mostly get those "rainmaker" shops which means I can't afford you for any of the companies I schedule for.

I'm stuck at my computer most of the day, so in my off moments, I can post a little bit on here. I can also multi-task pretty well.

@LisaSTL wrote:

"Some of them are registered on here, but most are so busy working that they don't have time to post under one name (let alone 4 or 5)."

Really Dante? So those of us taking time to post aren't busy enough? What's your excuse?

My point, while you are angry and lashing out at one or two people you actually made a sweeping statement which painted a lot of us in a bad light. Obviously a few of you are having serious problems with each other. PM might be a place to work it out..........or not.

From dictionary.com.

It is surprising how many different ways this word could be used in this thread.


bait
[beyt]
Spell Syllables
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
noun
1.
food, or some substitute, used as a lure in fishing, trapping, etc.
2.
a poisoned lure used in exterminating pests.
3.
an allurement; enticement:
Employees were lured with the bait of annual bonuses.
4.
an object for pulling molten or liquefied material, as glass, from a vat or the like by adhesion.
5.
South Midland and Southern U.S.
a large or sufficient quantity or amount:
He fetched a good bait of wood.
an excessive quantity or amount.
6.
British Slang. food.
verb (used with object)
7.
to prepare (a hook or trap) with bait.
8.
to entice by deception or trickery so as to entrap or destroy:
using fake signal lights to bait the ships onto the rocks.
9.
to attract, tempt, or captivate.
10.
to set dogs upon (an animal) for sport.
11.
to worry, torment, or persecute, especially with malicious remarks:
a nasty habit of baiting defenseless subordinates.
12.
to tease:
They love to bait him about his gaudy ties.

Does anybody have any fresh popcorn?

Extra butter on mine!

And please.... upsell me to a large! :]

All I can say is, IME, Dante is a pleasure to work with. I've never had anything but good experiences with him, and you can tell he busts his behind for GfK and the other company he schedules for. He's been nothing but honest in all of my interactions with him.

Ultimately, I guess I'm an IC but not an employee, but if I get an assignment that is difficult, I grin and bear it as best I can. I mean how many of us have gotten burnt by the Swedish Meatball shop? [nothing to do with GfK, but one of those deceptively difficult shops]

After reading this thread (and doing a considerable amount of gagging), I now fully understand why many MSPs forbid their staff, schedulers and editors posting on public message boards except to post jobs. At one time GFK was a fantastic company to work WITH, but it would appear they have degenerated to not even being worth working FOR because evidently their schedulers have decided that shoppers are stupids who need to be schooled. So schedulers go ahead and 'Like' each other's posts because if there was a 'Puke' button I certainly would be selecting it.

And please.... upsell me to a large! :] @AlexG

Just makes me realize I can't go anywhere now without just standing there waiting for an upsell, even if I'm not shopping the place. It's an almost Pavlovian response in me now!

Don't forget to make blueberry and cranberry crisp to serve with vanilla ice cream for a red, white and blue 4th of July dessert treat!

Or strawberry and blueberry shortcakes with mounds of whipped cream